Kingdom of isolation - you can't hide

Forty Four - Dual POVs

Alexander

Enemies have always been at large since the conception of my kingdom. People died trying to protect their livelihood, for wanting to exist. Montana is a secure fortress that belongs to the people who fought to stay there when no one wanted us.

What began as a rebellion turned into an ugly spot in history that people remember us by. Savages who pillage and kill innocents. It doesn't bother me what people think of us, not when their own history is just as muddied, if not worse.

And while it might not appear that my kingdom is in constant danger, it certainly always is. I've done an efficient job in dealing with the threats but that doesn't take away from the fact that I have more foes than friends wherever I go. It comes with the job, I suppose.

Father always said not to trust anyone, including yourself. Just because someone is capable of doing the bare minimum doesn't mean they mean well. Those closest to you can still stab you in the back. He would know a lot about betrayals. After all, he was betrayed by his own father.

Everything is transactional in our world. People know that we can provide security and immunity among other things. Within reason, of course. We don't provide our services to just anyone. Not anymore.

My skin prickles with annoyance. I hate New Hampshire and it fucking hates me back. People in this prim and proper state have never truly welcomed us, always looking down on us like we're gum stuck under their shoe.

Their loyalties are to their King who has a nasty temper and tendency to be a little too open hearted, so their disdain doesn't waft in the air whenever we're here because of him.

Speaking of their King, Caspian finally took the crown from James Hart. Reluctantly. Everyone knows he doesn't really want it, not in its entirety. Caspian has been building an empire of his own, allowing his creativity to take control. Being crowned King is just a bonus for him.

The Hart Kingdom is still vulnerable to the occasional attacks and he can't afford to mess up the agreement that was written up during our parents' time. That's right, that prideful man still needs me to protect his royal ass from the 'bad guys'.

That doesn't mean he won't outsource and use that clever mind of his to try doing some real damage to me. I can't forget our time in HRU.

But today is not the day to delve into who wants to poison me or shoot me in the face.

I'm getting married. Who would have thought? Certainly not me.

I'd never given the idea of marriage much importance until a little sapphire eyed vixen with a fiery temper came into the picture. Now, it's not so bad. I could get used to having her in my life, in my bed—

A slight pricking near my chest reels me back to the present as I look down at Ma, fiddling with the brooch with more force than necessary. I smirk, knowing she's pushing the pins on purpose. Dressed in her beautiful gown, Ma is dressed for the occasion. Her mood, however, tells a different story.

"You're awfully quiet today, Ma. It's not like I'm getting married or anything." I muse.

Her fingers hover above the ruby crystals on my shoulder pads as she finally looks up at me, green eyes ablaze. Yeah, she's still mad.

She resumes her work as she says, "Well, I'm not happy about it."

"So you've said. I thought you adored her and couldn't wait for her to be a part of our family. What changed? You don't like her anymore? Gosh, it'll only take about two seconds to call off the wedding."